State Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I-North Tonawanda) today sought clarification from agencies overseeing mental health, developmental disability services, and substance abuse in New York State. As chairman of the Senate’s Mental Health and Developmental and Disabilities Committee, Ortt led a joint legislative budget hearing focusing on the programmatic and financial impact of the Governor’s proposed budget.

The hearing included testimony from executive agencies and community advocates. He began by addressing the state’s closure plans, specifically plans to close West Seneca Children’s Psychiatric Center and transfer the patients to Buffalo Psychiatric Hospital.